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This vegan beef broth is a savory, umami-packed vegetarian beef stock that can be used as a substitute for the real thing.
I knew from the moment I typed “vegan beef broth” on this post that the name would anger some people. I see you and I see your anger. If you don’t want to make this recipe because of the name, feel free to make a different one :).
The inspiration for this recipe comes from America’s Test Kitchen‘s plant-based cookbook that came out last year. The whole book is great, but their umami broth was one of the first things I fixated on. It packs a punch with many very savory ingredients, so much so that my kitchen smelled “beefy” as I whipped it up.
The most unusual (and I think crucial) ingredient in the recipe is fermented black beans. They can be purchased on Amazon at that link, or found at Asian grocery stores. You can’t use regular black beans, it’s a different thing. These are black soybeans that have been salted and fermented. The unique flavor is a necessity for this vegan beef broth. It’s the same thing that would be found in black bean sauce at Chinese restaurants.
ATK uses a bunch of dried mushrooms in their stock, but as you might know by now, I hate mushrooms. I can tolerate them somewhat if there are no solid pieces of them remaining in a dish, but I didn’t really want to have to furnish my pantry with them because I wouldn’t use them in anything else.
Instead I turned to a replacement umami bomb that I *do* keep on hand all the time: sundried tomatoes, which I’ve always found to have a slightly meaty flavor. Tomato is a natural glutamate powerhouse, so it makes sense to me that the sun drying process would concentrate it even more. The tomatoes also help give this beef-less broth a nice, rich, golden color in the end product.
After you get all of the (admittedly) weird vegan ingredients assembled for this recipe, the rest is super easy. Put everything in a pot, bring it to a boil, strain it, and then die and go to umami heaven.
The level of straining is a matter of preference. If you want your beef-less stock super clear, you can strain it through cheesecloth. I don’t care too much about that, so I strain mine with a sieve only.
I prefer this recipe over the powders or concentrates (sold by various brands like Orrington Farms, Better than Bouillon, etc.) because it’s made with whole foods that I recognize and honestly tastes better too. There are certain foods where I prefer the commercial version to homemade and I’m not afraid to admit it… but vegan beef broth is not one of those foods.
I’ll be back here soon to violate the sensibilities of traditionalists who love a certain classic French recipe that uses beef broth. In the meantime, this would also be fantastic in my hearty vegetable stewor in a batch of vegan gravy.
This makes enough for two big pots of soup. It freezes great, so feel free to do that with the excess, reducing it first if you prefer. I like to freeze mine in an ice cube tray so that I can use the cubes as needed.
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Vegan Beef Broth
This homemade vegan beef broth is an umami-bomb that's perfect as a vegetarian substitute for beef broth anywhere it's normally used.
Course basics
Cuisine American, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free, vegan, vegetarian
Keyword beefless broth, vegan beef broth, vegetarian beef stock
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 quarts
Calories 22kcal
Author Yup, it's Vegan
Equipment
Large pot
Sieve or cheesecloth
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients except for the water in a large pot. Add the water gradually, stirring to incorporate the ingredients evenly, especially the miso paste.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 30 minutes.
Strain the broth through a sieve. For very clear broth, layer the sieve with cheesecloth first.
Prepared broth can be stored for a week in the fridge, and freezes great for at least a month.
Notes
Recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen.
Nutrition facts are an estimate based on the assumption that some of the nutrition is retained by the solids which are strained out of the broth after cooking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g
FAQs
From hearty beef stews to savory gravies, beef stock adds depth and richness to countless recipes. However, it is important to note that the essence of beef stock is derived from the animal parts, thus making it unsuitable for individuals who follow a strict vegan diet.
What is vegan broth made of? ›
Here's how to make a fast vegetable broth:
Sauté alliums (onions, leeks, scallions, garlic) and aromatics (chiles, herbs like rosemary and thyme, lemongrass, ginger), then add nutritional yeast and water, and simmer, partially covered, until flavorful—start checking around 10–15 minutes.
What is a vegan substitute for beef stock cube? ›
Vegetarian/vegan alternatives to beef stock cubes include mushroom or vegetable bouillon cubes, miso paste, soy sauce, or tamari for umami flavor. Additionally, kombu (seaweed) or nutritional yeast can enhance richness.
Is there a vegan beef bouillon? ›
Vegetarian Better Than Bouillon® No Beef Base is Certified Vegan beef flavor, which can be used in soups, gravies and stocks. Better Than Bouillon blendable bases easily spoon right out of the jar and let you add as much, or as little, flavor as desired.
Can vegans eat stock? ›
The vegan diet is completely devoid of animal products. Specifically, this means that vegans do not eat fish, poultry or any products from dead animals, such as meat and bone (including gelatine, and broth or stock made from meat bones).
Can vegans drink broth? ›
Yes, it's perfectly possible to create a vegan-friendly version of bone broth by replacing the animal ingredients with plant-based alternatives. The even better news is, there's not just one vegan bone broth recipe out there, there are quite a few to try, including the three we've listed below.
What can vegans drink instead of bone broth? ›
There is no one perfect replacement for bone broth. There are mushroom broths and stocks that taste great but have different health benefits and nutrition. You can replace the electrolytes and hydration, but the problem is that there isn't a vegetarian or vegan replacement for collagen protein.
What is the difference between vegan stock and broth? ›
Vegetable stock likely comes unseasoned, while broth usually contains salt and other seasonings. Vegetable stock is made with untrimmed, sometimes whole vegetables, while broth is made from trimmed, roughly chopped vegetables.
How do you thicken vegan broth? ›
Mix mix 1 tablespoon of arrowroot starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth then stir into the soup. May need to double or triple that depending on how much soup you have. Simmer gently to thicken. The advantage of arrowroot starch over cornstarch is that it does not break down as quickly when heated.
What can I use instead of beef broth or stock? ›
Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement. Chicken broth also has a similar nutrition profile to beef broth, low in calories and high in sodium.
I use paste, powdered or cubed bouillon in almost all savoury meals. Vegan chicken-flavoured bouillon can often be expensive and less accessible so this recipe is super accessible to make no matter where you are. Using just nutritional yeast and seasonings, you can make it yourself.
What beef stock cubes are vegan? ›
Elevate your home-cooked meals with OXO Meat-Free Beef Flavour Stock Cubes. Packed with full-bodied flavour, these stock cubes will transform your plant-based dishes. Dissolve one cube in 190ml of boiling water for mouth-watering vegan beef stock.
How do you mimic beef broth? ›
There are many substitutes for beef broth, including chicken broth, vegetable broth, beer, liquid aminos, bouillon cubes, and mushroom broth.
Which bouillon cubes are vegan? ›
- Garden Vegetable Bouillon Cubes. ...
- Edward & Son's Vegan Chicken Bouillon Cubes - Vegan Broth Cubes, Gluten Free, No Trans Fat, Use in Soups, Stews and Pilafs (8 Cubes of Each) - Pack of 12. ...
- Edward & Sons Not Beef Bouillon Cubes, 3.1 oz. ...
- Seitenbacher Vegetable Broth and Seasoning - 5 oz.
This product contains 2 ingredients that are not vegan and 5 ingredients that may not be vegan.
Does beef broth have meat in it? ›
Beef broth is a liquid made from boiling beef bones and meat scraps. It is essentially a soup base, though it can also serve other purposes. The broth is simmered for a long time to cook every last bit of meat off the bone and deepen the flavor. It is often confused with beef stock.
What do vegans say about bone broth? ›
It has nutrients you don't get from many other sources
"I think the way people are eating is changing, and that's here to stay," Jordan says. "Bone broth is clean, really healthy, and has nutritional components you can't find in a lot of other foods.
Can vegans eat bone broth? ›
Yes. Bone broth is getting attention for its gelatin, an amino-acid-rich animal byproduct that is believed to help build bone and joint-supporting collagen. And while there is no vegan substitute for gelatin, you can make a similarly mineral-rich plant-based broth.
Is meat broth considered meat? ›
Meat has more protein, vitamins, everything really. Meat is meat, broth can be delicious, but it isn't meat.
